THE Taungwine hiking season in Mawlamyine, Mon State, which has gained significant interest among locals and travellers, will begin on 1 December, according to the Tharthana Nwe Foundation.
The two months, from December to January annually, have been designated as the hiking season. Starting from the morning of 1 December, the season for public health hiking and pilgrimage will begin.
"There are quite a lot of hikers. It is much more crowded on weekends. Many locals as well as pilgrims are very interested," said a local.
To ensure the safety of hikers during the two-month hiking season, cars, motorbikes, and bicycles (excluding those of authorized personnel and the hilltop monastery) will be prohibited from ascending the mountain from 4:30 am to 9:00 am on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Cars and motorbikes can be left at the free parking areas at the entrance from 4:30 am to 9 am, and car owners are advised to park systematically in the car park.
Hikers are advised not to smoke and to properly dispose of trash in the designated bins, and vendors are instructed not to sell their goods on the concrete path and to avoid selling food that produces offensive odours, alcohol, and beer, according to the Thathana Nwe Foundation Sayadaw. — MT/ZN
